Top Children's Book Publishing Companies

Children's books can be in various genres, ranging from kid lit to fantasy to mystery, and aimed at different age levels, from board books for infants to easy readers for primary school children and to full novels for young adults up to 18 years old. There are two main types of children's publishers: the multinational conglomerates--also known as the mega publishers--and the independents. The conglomerates are the publishing houses, usually located in New York City, that publish many imprints within various divisions and are part of much bigger "mother" companies. The independent presses, on the other hand, are the smaller companies.

Random House Children's Books

Random House has 10 divisions within its children's publishing arm. Example divisions include Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, Dragonfly and Wendy Lamb Books. Random House publishes the popular Dr. Seuss series, and its authors include famous names such as Judy Blume and Phillip Pullman. It considers manuscripts via literary agents only.

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Simon & Schuster, which has three divisions, is one of the world's leading book publishers. It publishes the famous Bunnicula books, by James Howe. Children and parents are encouraged to explore its website. The editors consider query letters if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Little, Brown Books has two divisions and produces children's books of all types, from board books for infants to novels for young adults. Among its authors is Louisa May Alcott, who penned "Little Women." It also publishes multicultural titles in English and Spanish. Submissions are considered via literary agents only.

Macmillan Children's Book Publishing Group

Macmillan has nine divisions, such as Henry Holt and Company For Young Readers, Roaring Brook Press and Tor Teen. Macmillan publishes books for young readers and for teenagers up to 18 years old. Each division has its own website with different submission guidelines.

HarperCollins Children's BooksGroup

HarperCollins has 12 divisions, such as EOS, Harper Teen, RAYO and Greenwillow Books. Harper Collins has a broad range of imprints in many genres for kids of all ages, from picture books to illustrated chapter books, to fiction and nonfiction for young adults. Each division has different submission guidelines.

Scholastic, Inc.

Scholastic, Inc., an independent press, is the United State's largest publisher of children's books, publishing more than 750 new books each year. The list includes the popular "Harry Potter" series. Its imprints include Arthur A. Levine Books, The Blue Sky Press and Cartwheel Books. The aim of this company is to educate as much as to entertain. Submissions are considered via literary agents only.

Penguin Putnam

Penguin Putnam has 11 divisions and produces books for children of all ages and in most genres. Divisions include Dial Books, Dutton Children's Books, Puffin Books, Philomel Books and others. Each division has different submission guidelines.

Lerner Publishing Group

Lerner Publishing Group, a large independent press, creates high-quality children's books not only for the general young reader but also for schools and libraries. It publishes a lot of nonfiction such as biographies, science, social studies, geography, activity books and other education-oriented titles. It has seven imprints, including Carolhoda Books, Ediciones Lerner and Twenty-First Century Books. Submissions are considered via literary agents only.

Bloomsbury Children's Books USA

Bloomsbury Children's Books USA launched in 1998 by Bloomsbury Publishing plc, the original UK-based publisher of the "Harry Potter" books. It publishes quality fiction and nonfiction for children of all ages. It welcomes picture book manuscripts and queries for longer works.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Books encompasses three imprints. It features a lot of notable authors and illustrators and is the home of such classics as "The Little Prince" and "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge." Unsolicited submissions are welcome, but editors will respond only if interested.